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In Smolyan functions a unique facility - the Planetarium. The building has beautiful and original architecture. It is equipped with modern equipment. Next to it was built a small observatory, equipped with several telescopes. The largest of them has a diameter of 15 cm and with it in the clear sky, visitors can observe the Sun.

The Planetarium opened in 1975. This is the largest space observatory in Bulgaria and a unique research center in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe. Since the beginning of its existence the Planetarium has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bulgaria. For 25 years it was visited by nearly two million people.

The heart of the Planetarium is the round “Star Hall” with a diameter of 15 meters which can hold 150 visitors. In hall “star performances” are shown, more than 70 in number, ranging from 35 to 40 minutes. At its center is the machine type "Space Planetarium", which projects onto the domed screen artificial sky with spectacular precision and the illusion of reality. One by one the stars appear - over 8 000 in number. Fabulous views alternate: galaxies, planets, comets, fantastic worlds unknown, constellations and figures of characters from myths and legends. The programs are for different age groups: for the smallest they are like fairytales, the students’ programs are related to the study material. But most preferred by the general public are the general review sessions, filled with demonstrations and accessible information presented.

The Observatory has an extremely rich library that stores more than 5 000 books. The Planetarium regularly organizes scientific conferences, educational programs, temporary exhibitions and thematic works of art.

In the courtyard of the observatory can be seen some ancient instruments, which the scientists have used thousands of years ago. Visitors can see the model of a sundial and a stylus.

The Planetarium is actively working on the visual and photographic documentation of all solar and lunar eclipses and other astronomical phenomena visible from the territory of Bulgaria. Since 1975, at the Planetarium were taken 3 solar and 9 lunar eclipses. Some of the photographs are unique to Bulgaria.

The Planetarium is open every day from 9 to 17.30 hours and Sunday from 9 to 12:30 hours. Hours of sessions in the star room are: 9:30, 11:00, 16:30 - for groups over 10 people; 15:00 - Permanent hour sessions, regardless of the number of visitors; 14:00 - for foreign visitors; Each day with clear skies observations of the Sun through a telescope are conduct. Every Wednesday night, clear sky observations are carried out with a telescope of night sky objects (start time varies depending on the season).